“There is work to be done, to be done!” – Strike Up the Band by George and Ira Gershwin

Since it is Independence Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate our of freedoms here in America. I am so grateful that our forefathers and foremothers decided that taxation without representation was not good enough for our country. They stood up and said that no person should own another person. They said that women have the right to vote in our government. They said that “separate but equal” is not equal at all. And recently they (we) said that DOMA was unconstitutional.

We have made some made some major mistakes along the way for sure- The Trail of Tears, Japanese Concentration Camps, Jim Crow Laws, and Stonewall just to name a few. However, like other countries who have made unfortunate missteps, I would like to believe that we are deeply embarrassed and saddened by these moments in our history.

Overall, it seems that it is in our blood- in our cultural DNA- to right wrongs and to fight for those who need help. So on this day that we celebrate freedom I ask for you to be grateful for the liberties that we enjoy, but also I ask that you free yourself from apathy, hate, and egocentrism. There is still “work to be done, to be done!” There are people all over the world that are punished and persecuted for activities that we find common place. There are people in America who are still punished and persecuted for attempting to enjoy their inalienable rights. Do not turn a deaf ear or blind eye just because an issue doesn’t affect you directly. Tyranny often has a trickle down effect that may not land at your door, but at your child’s or future generations feet. Transversely, freedom for one group will lead to freedom for others!

So without further delay, it’s time to Strike Up the Band! Hit it Ella!